SARABHAI, SCIENCE & INDIANS [power-point presentation ]
Slide - 1
This lecture was given one day before 12 August (Vikram Sarabhai birth anniversary – had he lived, he would have completed 87 years). Since 12 August was a holiday it was on 11th.
Slide - 2
This is about Jawaharlal Nehru. How politics brought him close to people and therefore their poverty. He sought solutions in Economics. More he read economics, he came to the conclusion that science is crucial. Hence he made the statement “Future…………………………….†Detailed extract is available in my book “Empowering Indians†Chapter-1. Most economists had not realised it in 1937. It is remarkable for Nehru to have “seen†it.
Thus he spoke about science, made “Scientific Policy Resolution†in the independent India. He Nehru meant by Science a broad canvas including application, innovation, new products, and an attitude towards life. (Not the narrow interpretation of “basic scientific research†alone as is attempted by some of our scientists !).
Slide – 3
Brings out the missing links in India the way the S&T establishment began and later grow.
Politics (i.e. policies in a better sense of it) be it in Agriculture etc (as indicated) which link to Society & People never linked the growth of science (worldwide) & technologies.
Economic & politics were stand alone making policies.
Science was made a romantic myth to grow isolated in labs.
Slide – 4
Within the Indian Scientific community, Vikram Sarabhai was one f the view who looked as “Science†with all its links including management & administration.
The JRD quote says it all.
Slide – 5
Gives Vikram Sarabhai’s clear view.
Slide – 6
In India most of our Science & Technology (S&T) policy makers talk a linear model. More money to Science, more prosperous the nation will be. They continue to ask for more money.
Is it True or False – (During the actual talk, there was an interactive discussion).
Then I give the answer that it is false. (see the reference).
Slide – 7
Most Indians are in poverty zone because relevant (emphasized knowledge inputs & investments don’t reach all segment. Most Science Groups are happy with the two ends A&E.
(See discussion on this in the reference – available in this website).
Slide – 8
Sarabhai realised this even in late 1960’s.
He proposed 30 – odd missions (I have his detailed paper).
Had they been embarked upon then India would have developed long ago !
I expressed them all in my English poem written immediately on hearing his death. It appears as “A Great Man’s Demise†in Agony & Harmony. (See the poetry section for the full address of the book).
Slide – 9
Shows the changing paradigm of what is expected of a vendor in the globalising economy.
(More details of such an approach are available the book - Global Business, Technology & Knowledge Sharing).
Slide – 10
Even outsourcing is very stiff now. It is not a passive disciplined actor who wins. Product improvement capability (though S&T application is expected).
(See the book quoted in the earlier slide – see title in the book section of this website).
Slide - 11 & 12
Technology Intermediation (see elsewhere in this website).
Technology / Knowledge Intermediation (continually) is required to fulfil the requirements depicted in Slides 9 & 10.
Slide – 13
Sarabhai missions as was said took care of all round growth.
We cannot afford to deal only with organised sector – as bulk of Indians are employed in “unorganised†sector. Hence S&T would need to reach them all in a relevant manner.
by
Y.S. Rajan